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“We are recommending radical reform of eye care to move towards a triaged pathway of routine public care provided in the community and specialised care in hospitals. In Ireland we have an unusual overreliance on hospital ophthalmology departments that will not meet the demands of our population.”

Speaking as the association made its 2019 Pre-Budget Submission, Mr McCrave highlighted the need for better organisation of cataracts surgery.

He said: “A survey carried out by AOI earlier this year found there are waiting times of up to five years in some parts of the country for cataract surgery.

“To address this we are calling for national roll-out of the Sligo Post-Cataract Scheme, which has reduced waiting times and costs in the region where it is available.